System and method for configuring multiple ptp ports of a network device

ABSTRACT

There is described a system and method for configuring multiple PTP ports of a network device comprising an input component and a processor. A PTP port group, associated with a subset of PTP ports of the network device and with a PTP region, is identified. A PTP parameter set corresponding to the PTP port group is received and applied to each port of the subset of PTP ports associated with the PTP port group. A time exchange is performed for PTP capable devices within the PTP region. There is also described a PTP network device comprising a first transparent clock, a second transparent clock, and a boundary clock. The first transparent clock performs time exchange within the first PTP region. The second transparent clock performs time exchange within the second PTP region. The boundary clock performs time exchange between the first and second PTP regions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to the field of precision time protocol-capablenetwork devices and, more particularly, to configuring multipleprecision time protocol ports of a network device.

BACKGROUND

A precision time protocol (“PTP”) network device could consist ofmultiple physical ports. The mode of each port is determined andconfigured based on its anticipated use. A PTP network device is likelyto have several ports requiring the same set of configurationparameters. Conventional device setup models require configuring eachport individually for a PTP network device having many ports, thusresulting in significant time and labor costs for configuring thedevice.

In addition, ports of a PTP network device may have differentrequirements for time exchange depending on the region each port isconnected to. The IEEE 1588 standard defines a protocol that providessynchronization of clocks in a packet-based network. Several clock typesare defined in the Standard including Ordinary Clock, Boundary Clock andTransparent Clock. The Boundary Clock is a mode in which a deviceexpects to receive time as a PTP Slave on one port and serve time as aPTP Master to the rest of its PTP ports. In contrast, a TransparentClock is expected to forward time information between its PTP ports. TheIEEE C37.238-2011 standard and the IEC 61850-9-3 standard define thePower Profile and the Utility profile respectively, which allow aBoundary Clock to introduce time inaccuracy up to 200 ns while theyallow a Transparent Clock to introduce time inaccuracy up to 50 ns.

In a multiport network device, several ports may be associated with thesame PTP region while other ports may be associated with other differentPTP regions. A PTP region is a network region where all PTP capabledevices adhere to the same set of PTP parameters, otherwise known as aPTP profile. A multiport network device with a Transparent Clockfunction is capable of performing time exchange within a PTP region butnot between PTP regions. A multiport device with a Boundary Clockfunction is capable of performing time exchange within and between PTPregions, but the Boundary Clock function would be used for all PTP portsregardless of whether the certain ports belong to the same region ordifferent regions, even if the device was capable of Transparent Clockfunctionality. While the Transparent Clock is not intended forinter-region time exchange, the Boundary Clock is inefficient and mayintroduce higher time inaccuracies.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, there isprovided a configuration approach for a multiport PTP network device.This approach provides the flexibility to add, remove, or otherwiseconfigure multiple ports of the network device with the same PTPparameters or profile. In addition, a single PTP network device mayprovide both a Boundary Clock function and a transparent Clock functioncompliant to the standards of these functions, even though the IEEE 1588standard does not provision a combined Boundary Clock and TransparentClock device (“BC-TC device”). The hybrid configuration of the PTPnetwork device utilizes the Boundary Clock function for time exchangebetween PTP regions and the Transparent Clock function for time exchangebetween ports in the same PTP region. Accordingly, the approach allowsfor efficient operation of the multiport PTP network device minimizingany potential time inaccuracies.

The configuration approach associates physical PTP ports of the networkdevice to one set of PTP configuration parameters through a PTP PortGroup configuration. Several PTP ports may be configure efficiently atthe same time, and PTP ports may be grouped in a flexible manneraccording to user needs. The configuration of PTP Ports becomesuser-friendly, and errors that may occur due to configuration copies maybe minimized. Ports that are not part of the PTP network do not need tobe included as a part of any PTP configuration. The configurationapproach also provides significant accuracy within regions by theTransparent Clock function and avoidance of unnecessary contributions oftime inaccuracy by the Boundary Clock function.

One aspect is a system for configuring multiple PTP ports of a networkdevice comprising an input component and a processor. The inputcomponent is configured to identify a PTP port group associated with asubset of PTP ports of the network device. The PTP port group beingfurther associated with a PTP region. The processor is configured toreceive a PTP parameter set corresponding to the PTP port group andapply the PTP parameter set to each port of the subset of PTP portsassociated with the PTP port group and perform time exchange for PTPcapable devices within the PTP region.

Another aspect is a method for configuring multiple PTP ports of anetwork device. A PTP port group associated with a subset of PTP portsof the network device is identified in which the PTP port group beingfurther associated with a PTP region. A PTP parameter set correspondingto the PTP port group is received. The PTP parameter set is applied toeach port of the subset of PTP ports associated with the PTP port group.A time exchange is performed for PTP capable devices within the PTPregion.

Yet another aspect is a multiport precision time protocol (“PTP”)network device comprising a first transparent clock, a secondtransparent clock, and a boundary clock. The first transparent clock ofthe network device is coupled to first devices of a first PTP region.The first transparent clock performs time exchange within the first PTPregion. The second transparent clock of the network device is coupled tosecond devices of a second PTP region. The second transparent clockperforms time exchange within the second PTP region. The boundary clockof the network device communicates with the first and second transparentclocks. The boundary clock performs time exchange between the first andsecond PTP regions.

The above described features and advantages, as well as others, willbecome more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art byreference to the following detailed description and accompanyingdrawings. While it would be desirable to provide one or more of these orother advantageous features, the teachings disclosed herein extend tothose embodiments which fall within the scope of the appended claims,regardless of whether they accomplish one or more of the above-mentionedadvantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein likenumbers designate like objects.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a system in an example implementation thatis operable to employ techniques described herein.

FIG. 2 is a PTP configuration table representing example PTP parametersets for multiple PTP port groups, which may be utilized by the systemof FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a hybrid BC-TC network device coupledto PTP capable devices of multiple PTP regions.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram representing layers of the hybrid BC-TCnetwork device of FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of example device components of a connectedterminal of FIG. 1 or the network device of FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 .

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram depicting an example operation that is operableto employ techniques described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various technologies that pertain to systems and methods that facilitateconfiguration of a multiport precision time protocol (“PTP”) networkdevice will now be described with reference to the drawings, where likereference numerals represent like elements throughout. The drawingsdiscussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe theprinciples of the present disclosure in this patent document are by wayof illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit thescope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand thatthe principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in anysuitably arranged apparatus. It is to be understood that functionalitythat is described as being carried out by certain system elements may beperformed by multiple elements. Similarly, for instance, an element maybe configured to perform functionality that is described as beingcarried out by multiple elements. The numerous innovative teachings ofthe present application will be described with reference to exemplarynon-limiting embodiments.

The network device and method configures multiple ports for the same PTPparameters or profile and maintains flexibility to add, remove orindependently configure ports based on an intended use. The device andmethod allow users to reduce the number of redundant configuration stepsencountered when configuring each PTP port separately. For example, theconfiguration model may facilitate field deployment of products and maymake PTP adoption easier for end users of the device and its associatedPTP network.

Referring to FIG. 1 , there is shown a system 100 in an exampleimplementation that is operable to employ techniques described herein.The system 100 includes a network device 102 and, for some embodiments,may also include a connected terminal 104. Examples of connectedterminals 104 include any type of portable computing device capable ofcommunication via a wired or wireless data link with the network device102, such as, but are not limited to, a laptop computer, mobile device,tablet, remote terminal, server, and the like. An input component, suchas a user interface 106, configures the network device 102 as explainedbelow. The input component 106 may be supported by a connected terminal104 for some embodiments and input component 106 may be supported by thenetwork device 102 for other embodiments.

The network device 102 is PTP-capable and utilizes a configuration setof PTP port groups 110-116, to configure multiple PTP ports 118-132 ofthe network device. The network device 102 or the connected terminal 104configures and maintains the parameters for multiple physical PTP ports118-136 of the network device.

The input component identifies a PTP port group 110-116 associated witha subset of the PTP ports 118-132 of the network device 102, and eachPTP port group is associated with a PTP region. The input component alsoidentifies a PTP parameter set 138-144 of parameters to be assigned toeach PTP port 118-132. For example, a first PTP port group 110 includesa first PTP parameter set 138 associated with each and every port offirst PTP ports 118, 120, 122. Various embodiments may include one ormore additional groups. For example, in addition to the first PTP portgroup 110, the network device 102 may include a second PTP port group112 that includes a second PTP parameter set 140 associated with eachand every port of second PTP ports 124, 126. For other embodiments, thenetwork device 102 may further include a third PTP port group 114 thatincludes a third PTP parameter set 142 associated with a third PTP port128, a fourth PTP port group 116 that includes a fourth PTP parameterset 144 associated with each and every port of fourth PTP ports 130,132, and so forth. For some embodiments, the network device 102 mayinclude one or more ports 134, 136 that are not part of any PTP portgroup. For some embodiments, the network device 102 may include one ormore ports 134, 136 that are not configured for a PTP function.

The network device 102 and its PTP port groups 110-116 facilitateconfiguration of the PTP ports 118-132 by associating them with a PTPparameter set 138-144 at a similar time. For some embodiments, the PTPports 118-132 may be associated simultaneously with a corresponding PTPparameter set 138-144. For some embodiments, the PTP ports 118-132 maybe associated in series within a particular time period with acorresponding PTP parameter set 138-144. By this association, the PTPport group assign a group of ports to share the same set of PTPparameters. Examples of PTP port groups include, but are not limited to,PTP ports belonging to the same network segment or VLAN, PTP portsadhering to the same PTP profile (such as the PTP Power Profile or thePTP Utility Profile), PTP ports having restricted mode of operation(such as only-slave or only-master), and PTP ports requiring specialprocessing (such as VLAN tag formatting, including or excludingparticular TLV information in the PDU, etc.),

Referring to FIG. 2 , there is shown a PTP configuration table 200representing example PTP parameter sets for multiple PTP port groups,which may be utilized by the system 100. For the example depicted byFIG. 2 , PTP parameters 202-224 are represented by the rows, and PTPport groups 226-230 are represented by the columns. The PTPconfiguration table 200 may include PTP parameters 202-224 for one ormore PTP port group 226-230. For the example table 200, each of themultiple PTP port groups 226-230 includes a port identification 202,group name 204, domain number 206, transport protocol 208, path delaymechanism 210, VID 212, PTP profile 214, PTP port type 216, syncinterval 218, announce interval 220, announce receipt timeout 222, and agrand master identification 224. The port identification 202 representsthe PTP ports associated with the corresponding PTP port group 226-230,and the group name 204 is a group identification of the correspondingPTP port group. For example, a first PTP parameter set 204-224 isassigned to each of ports 1, 3, and 4 for the PTP port group “PG1”, andother PTP parameter sets for the other PTP port groups 228, 230 areassigned the correspond ports identified by the port identification 202.Each PTP parameter set corresponding to the corresponding PTP port group226-230 includes at least one of the following primary parameters foreach PTP port: a domain number 206, a transport protocol 208, a pathdelay mechanism 210, a PTP profile 214, a PTP port type 216, a syncinterval 218, an announce interval 220, or an announce receipt timeout224. For example, all primary parameters may be mandatory for the PTPport to operate so a PTP parameter set may include all of these primaryparameters. Other secondary parameters 204, 212, 224 may be optional ormay be needed dependent on the data of one or more primary parameters.

For some embodiments, the PTP configuration table 200 may also representan example configuration interface for PTP Port Groups where each cellof the table is configurable. the configuration interface may include asingle port group 226 and the PTP parameters 202-224 associated with theport group or multiple port groups 226-230 (as shown in FIG. 2 ) and thePTP parameters for each port group.

Referring to FIG. 3 , there is shown a schematic diagram of a hybridboundary clock-transparent clock (“BC-TC”) network device 300 coupledto, or otherwise communicating with, PTP capable devices of multiple PTPregions. The hybrid BC-TC network device 300 includes multipletransparent clock (“TC”) functions or components 302-308 and a boundaryclock function or component 310 coupled to the TC components. Althoughfour TC components 302-308 are shown in FIG. 3 , it is to be understoodthat the network device 300 includes two or more TC components with theactual quantity based on varying embodiments. Each TC component 302-308is associated with a corresponding PTP region 312-318. In particular,each TC component 302-308 is coupled to, or otherwise communicates with,corresponding PTP capable devices 320-340 of the corresponding PTPregion 312-318. For example, the network device 300 includes a first TCcomponent 302 communicating with first PTP capable devices 320-324 of afirst PTP region 312, a second TC component 304 communicating withsecond PTP capable devices 326-332 of a second PTP region 314, and a BCcomponent 310 communicating with the first and second TC components. Forother embodiments, the network device 300 may include one or moreadditional TC components 306, 308 communicating with PTP capable devices334-340 of other PTP regions 316, 318.

In order to combine the boundary clock role and the transparent clockrole, the network device 300 includes a boundary clock function, atransparent clock function, and a configuration model for the PTP portgroups (as described above). The network device 300 also includes acapability to act as a transparent clock component between ports of thePTP port group within the PTP region. The multiport PTP network device300 comprises a first TC component (“TC1”) 302 of the network device, asecond TC component (“TC2”) 304 of the network device, and a boundaryclock (“BC”) 310 of the network device. The first TC component 302 iscoupled to the first devices 320-324 of the first PTP region 312 andperforms time exchange with the first devices within the first PTPregion. Likewise, the second TC component 304 is coupled to seconddevices 326-332 of the second PTP region 314 and performs time exchangewith the second devices within the second PTP region. The boundary clock310 communicates with the first and second TC components 302, 304 andperforms time exchange with the first and second devices 320-332 betweenthe first and second PTP regions 312, 314. The boundary clock 310 doesnot perform time exchange within the first or second PTP regions 312,314. Also, neither the first TC component 302 nor the second TCcomponent 304 performs time exchange with the first and second devices320-332 between the first and second PTP regions 312, 314. Instead, theboundary clock 310 communicates directly with the first and second TCcomponents 302, 304, and communicates indirectly with the first devices320-324 and the second devices 326-332 via the first TC component andthe second TC component, respectively.

The first devices 320-324 are associated with a first PTP port group,and the second devices 326-332 are associated with a second PTP portgroup. Examples of PTP port groups are represented by groups 226-230 ofFIG. 2 . The first TC component 302 performs time exchange with thefirst devices 320-324 of the first PTP port group within the first PTPregion 312, and the second TC component performs time exchange with thesecond devices 326-332 of the second PTP port group within the secondPTP region 314. Each TC component 302-308 forwards each message receivedfrom its associated PTP capable device unmodified, or substantiallyunmodified, to the other associated PTP capable device(s) coupled to itsassociated ports. The boundary clock 310 modifies some identificationparameters of each message received from an original master source ofone of the TC components 302-308 by replacing one or more of them withits own identification. Accordingly, the boundary clock 310 pretends tobe a master source and behaves in accordance with a master clockprofile. Each port within a PTP Port Group acts as a transparent clockport between other members of the PTP Port group. To the “central”boundary clock 310, each PTP port group appears as a boundary clockport.

A PTP network device 300 is coupled to multiple PTP capable devices320-340 in which one of the PTP capable devices is the best grandmasterdevice and the other PTP capable devices sync their clocks to thisgrandmaster device. Where only one grandmaster device 332 of themultiple PTP capable devices 320-332 is coupled to the PTP networkdevice 300, the one grandmaster device is selected to be the bestgrandmaster device. Where multiple grandmaster devices 332, 334 of themultiple PTP capable devices 320-340 are coupled to the PTP networkdevice 300, the best grandmaster device is selected in accordance withthe best master clock algorithm (“IEEE 1588 BMCA”) for PTP distribution.

Master-slave clock signaling for the network device 300 occurs on thebasis of the selected best grandmaster device. The boundary clock 310 isused to exchange time information between PTP port groups or PTP regions312-318 while the TC component allows exchange of time informationwithin the PTP port groups or PTP regions. Accordingly, the networkdevice 300 allows lower time inaccuracy to be introduced within each PTPport group or PTP region. Slave devices attached to second TC component304 will receive time from the local grandmaster 332 via the second TCcomponent 302 while those attached to first TC component 304 willsynchronize their time with the same grandmaster 332 via the boundaryclock 310. Where the second devices 326-332 includes the bestgrandmaster device 332, the second TC component 304 communicates a slavesignal to the boundary clock 310, and the boundary clock 310communicates a master signal corresponding to the slave signal to thefirst TC component 302. As stated above, the message from the bestgrandmaster clock 332 is unmodified, or substantially unmodified, by theTC component 304 and the boundary clock 310 modifies some identificationparameters of the message by replacing one or more of them with its ownidentification.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram representing particular embodiments of thehybrid BC-TC network device 400 described above in reference to FIG. 3 .As shown in FIG. 4 , the network device 400 includes a transparent clocklayer 402 and a boundary clock layer 404. The transparent clock layer402 has multiple, autonomous transparent clock (“TC”) components 406,408, 410. The boundary clock layer 404 has a boundary clock (“BC”)component 412 that interconnects, or otherwise communicates, with theaforementioned transparent clock layer 402 and its TC components 406-410in the PTP context. Each TC component 406-410 is associated with acorresponding PTP port group and includes at least one port 414-430coupled to a PTP capable device.

The boundary clock layer 404 communicates with the transparent clocklayer 402 and performs time exchange with the PTP capable devices viathe ports 414-430 of the TC components 406-410. Each TC component406-410 of the transparent clock layer 402 performs time exchange withthe PTP capable devices within its associated PTP region, and theboundary clock component 412 of the boundary clock layer 404 performstime exchange with the PTP capable devices between the PTP regionsassociated with different TC components 406-410 and PTP port groups. PTPmessages received from a PTP capable device by the transparent clocklayer 402 and its TC component 406-410 are forwarded unmodified, orsubstantially unmodified, to the other associated PTP capable device(s)and the boundary clock layer 404 and its BC component 412. PTP messagesreceived from the transparent clock layer 402 by the Boundary clocklayer 404 are modified by the BC component 412 of the boundary clocklayer 404 and transmitted to the TC components of other PTP regions andPTP port groups. The BC component 412 may change one or moreidentification parameters of each PTP message and behave as a masterclock source.

FIG. 5 represents example device components 500 of the network device102, 300, 400 and/or the connected terminal 104. The device components500 comprise a communication bus 502 for interconnecting other devicecomponents directly or indirectly. The other device components includeone or more communication components 504, one or more processors 506,and one or more memory components 508.

The communication component 504 may be supported by the network device102 to communicate with the connected terminal 104, and vice versa. Forsome embodiments, the communication component 504 may utilize wirelesstechnology for communication, such as radio frequency (RF), infrared,microwave, light wave, and acoustic communications. RF communicationsinclude, but are not limited to, Bluetooth (including BLE), ultrawideband (UWB), Wi-Fi (including Wi-Fi Direct), Zigbee, cellular, satellite,mesh networks, PAN, WPAN, WAN, near-field communications, and othertypes of radio communications and their variants. For some embodiments,the communication component 504 may utilize wired technology forcommunication, such as transmission of data over a physical conduit,e.g., an electrical or optical fiber medium.

The processor or processors 506 may execute code and process datareceived from other components of the device components 500, such asinformation received at the communication component 504 or stored at thememory component 508. The code associated with the network device 102and/or the connected terminal 104 and stored by the memory component 508may include, but is not limited to, operating systems, applications,modules, drivers, and the like. An operating system includes executablecode that controls basic functions, such as interactions among thevarious components of the device components 500, communication withexternal devices via the communication component 504, and storage andretrieval of code and data to and from the memory component 508.

Each application includes executable code to provide specificfunctionality for the processor 506 and/or remaining components.Examples of applications executable by the processor 506 may include,but are not limited to, a port grouping module 510 and/or a BC-TC layersmodule 512. The port grouping module 510 may configure the networkdevice 102, including the application of a PTP parameter set to eachport of the subset of PTP ports associated with a PTP port group. TheBC-TC layers module 512 may operate the network device 102 based on theconfiguration set by the port grouping module 510, including theperformance of time exchange for PTP capable devices within a PTP regionand/or between PTP regions. The connected terminal 104 may include theport grouping module 510 for those embodiments that utilize a connectedterminal. The network device 102 includes the BC-TC layers module 512and, for some embodiments, may also include the port grouping module510.

Data stored at the memory component 508 is information that may bereferenced and/or manipulated by an operating system or application forperforming functions of the network device 102 and/or the connectedterminal 104. Examples of data stored by the memory component 508 mayinclude, but are not limited to, port group data 514, parameter set data516, and BC-TC data 518. The port group data 514 may include one or morePTP port groups associated with a subset of PTP ports of the networkdevice 102 as well as information associating each PTP port group with acorresponding PTP region. The processor 506 receives, directly orindirectly, a PTP parameter set 516 corresponding to the port group data514. For embodiments that utilize the connected terminal 104, thecommunication component 504 is configured to receive the PTP parameterset 516 corresponding to the port group data 514 and provide the PTPparameter set to the processor 506. The parameter set data 516 mayinclude one or more parameters such as a domain number, a transportprotocol, a path delay mechanism, a PTP profile, a PTP port type, a syncinterval, an announce interval, or an announce receipt timeout. TheBC-TC data 518 may include data utilized to operate the network device102, including master-slave communications such as a transmit time of aninitial sync message, a receive time of the initial sync message, atransmit time of a delay request, and a receive time of the delayrequest. The connected terminal 104 may include the port group data 514and the parameter set data 516 for those embodiments that utilize aconnected terminal. The network device 102 includes the BC-TC data 518and, for some embodiments, may also include the port group data 514 andthe parameter set data 516.

The device components 500 of the network device 102 and/or the connectedterminal 104 includes one or more input components 520 and one or moreoutput components 522. The input component 520, in particular, isconfigured to identify a PTP port group associated with a subset of PTPports of the network device 102 and a PTP region. The input and outputcomponents 520, 522 also include ports that are connected to, orotherwise communicating with, PTP capable devices of one or more PTPregions. The input components 520 and output components 522 of thedevice components 500 may include one or more visual, audio, mechanical,and/or other components. The input and output components 520, 522 mayinclude a user interface 524 for interaction with a user of the device.The user interface 522 may include a combination of hardware andsoftware to provide a user with a desired user experience, such as adisplay, touchscreen, and/or physical keys. For example, depending onwhether a connected terminal 104 is utilized, the communicationcomponent 504 and/or the processor 506 receives the parameter set data516 from the input component 520 of the connected terminal or thenetwork device 102.

It is to be understood that FIG. 5 is provided for illustrative purposesonly to represent examples of the device components 500 of the networkdevice 102 and/or connected terminal 104 and is not intended to be acomplete diagram of the various components that may be utilized by thesystem. Therefore, the network device 102 and/or connected terminal 104may include various other components not shown in FIG. 5 , may include acombination of two or more components, or a division of a particularcomponent into two or more separate components, and still be within thescope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6 , there is shown a flow diagram depicting an exampleoperation 600 that is operable to employ techniques described herein.The operation 600 provides a method for configuring multiple PTP portsof a network device. Initially, a PTP port group associated with asubset of PTP ports of the network device is identified (602). The PTPport group is further associated with a PTP region. An input component520 of the network device 102 (604) or a connected terminal 104communicating with the network device (606) may be used to identify thePTP port group and otherwise configure the PTP ports. For someembodiments, multiple PTP port groups associated with subsets of the PTPports of the network device and other PTP regions may be identified(602). For example, in addition to the first group, first subset, andfirst region, a second PTP port group associated with a second subset ofPTP ports and a second PTP region may be identified by the inputcomponent 520.

In response to identifying (602) the PTP port groups, a processor 506 ofthe network device 102 receives (608) a PTP parameter set correspondingto the PTP port group (604). The processor 506 may receive the PTPparameter set from the input component 520 of the network device 102(610) or the communication component 504 of the network device (612) foran incoming signal from the connected terminal 104. For someembodiments, multiple PTP parameter sets corresponding to the PTP portgroups may be received. For example, a second PTP parameter setcorresponding to the second PTP port group may be received from theinput component 520 or the communication component 504.

In response to receiving the PTP parameter set(s) (608), the processor506 may apply (614) the PTP parameter set to each port of the subset ofPTP ports associated with the PTP port group. For embodiments wheremultiple PTP parameter sets have been received (608), the multiple PTPparameter sets may be applied (614) to the ports of another subset ofthe PTP ports associated with the PTP port group. For some embodiments,the PTP parameter applies (616) the PTP parameter set to all PTP portsof the subset of PTP ports at a similar time. For example, the PTP portsmay be associated simultaneously with a corresponding PTP parameter set,or the PTP ports may be associated in series within a particular timeperiod with a corresponding PTP parameter set.

At some point before applying the PTP parameter set (614), PTP capabledevices are coupled (618) to the PTP ports of the network device 102.For example, the devices may be coupled (618) to the ports before orafter identifying (602) the port groups or before or after receiving(608) the PTP parameter set(s).

In response to applying the PTP parameter set(s) (614), the processor506 performs (620) time exchange for PTP capable devices within (622)the PTP region by utilizing each TC component 406-410 of the transparentclock layer 402. The processor may also perform time exchange for PTPcapable devices between (624) the PTP regions by utilizing the BCcomponent 412 of the boundary clock layer 404. For some embodiments, theprocessor 506 performs time exchange by communicating (626) an initialsync message from a master to a slave, communicating (626) a followupsync message from the master to the slave, communicating (626) a delayrequest message from the slave to the master, and communicating (626) afinal delay response message from the master to the slave. The multiportPTP network device 102 is configured efficiently, minimizing anypotential time inaccuracies.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that, for simplicity andclarity, the full structure and operation of all data processing systemssuitable for use with the present disclosure are not being depicted ordescribed herein. Also, none of the various features or processesdescribed herein should be considered essential to any or allembodiments, except as described herein. Various features may be omittedor duplicated in various embodiments. Various processes described may beomitted, repeated, performed sequentially, concurrently, or in adifferent order. Various features and processes described herein can becombined in still other embodiments as may be described in the claims.

It is important to note that while the disclosure includes a descriptionin the context of a fully functional system, those skilled in the artwill appreciate that at least portions of the mechanism of the presentdisclosure are capable of being distributed in the form of instructionscontained within a machine-usable, computer-usable, or computer-readablemedium in any of a variety of forms, and that the present disclosureapplies equally regardless of the particular type of instruction orsignal bearing medium or storage medium utilized to actually carry outthe distribution. Examples of machine usable/readable or computerusable/readable mediums include: nonvolatile, hard-coded type mediumssuch as read only memories (ROMs) or erasable, electrically programmableread only memories (EEPROMs), and user-recordable type mediums such asfloppy disks, hard disk drives and compact disk read only memories(CD-ROMs) or digital versatile disks (DVDs).

Although an example embodiment of the present disclosure has beendescribed in detail, those skilled in the art will understand thatvarious changes, substitutions, variations, and improvements disclosedherein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of thedisclosure in its broadest form.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for configuring multiple precision timeprotocol (“PTP”) ports of a network device comprising: an inputcomponent configured to identify a PTP port group associated with asubset of PTP ports of the network device, the PTP port group beingfurther associated with a PTP region; and a processor configured toreceive a PTP parameter set corresponding to the PTP port group andapply the PTP parameter set to each port of the subset of PTP portsassociated with the PTP port group and perform time exchange for PTPcapable devices within the PTP region.
 2. The system as described inclaim 1, wherein: the input component is supported by a connectedterminal or the network device; and the processor receives the PTPparameter set from the input component of the connected terminal or thenetwork device.
 3. The system as described in claim 1, wherein the PTPparameter set corresponding to the PTP port group includes at least oneparameter selected from a group consisting of a domain number, atransport protocol, a path delay mechanism, a PTP profile, a PTP porttype, a sync interval, an announce interval, or an announce receipttimeout.
 4. The system as described in claim 1, wherein a PTP capabledevice is coupled to each port of the subset of PTP ports.
 5. The systemas described in claim 1, wherein the processor applies the PTP parameterset to all PTP ports of the subset of PTP ports at a similar time. 6.The system as described in claim 1, wherein: the input componentidentifies a second PTP port group associated with a second subset ofPTP ports of the network device, the second PTP port group being furtherassociated with a second PTP region; and the processor receives a secondPTP parameter set corresponding to the second PTP port group and appliesthe second PTP parameter set to each port of the second subset of PTPports associated with the PTP port group and performs time exchange forPTP capable devices between the first PTP region and the second PTPregion.
 7. The system as described in claim 1, wherein the processordetermines a transmit time of an initial sync message sent by a master,a receive time of the initial sync message by a slave, a transmit timeof a delay request by the slave, and a receive time of the delay requestby the master.
 8. A method for configuring multiple precision timeprotocol (“PTP”) ports of a network device, the method comprising:identifying a PTP port group associated with a subset of PTP ports ofthe network device, the PTP port group being further associated with aPTP region; receiving a PTP parameter set corresponding to the PTP portgroup; applying the PTP parameter set to each port of the subset of PTPports associated with the PTP port group; performing time exchange forPTP capable devices within the PTP region.
 9. The method as described inclaim 8, wherein: identifying the PTP port group includes identifyingthe PTP port group at an input component of a connected terminal or aninput component of the network device; and receiving the PTP parameterset includes receiving the PTP parameter set from the input component ofthe connected terminal or the input component of the network device. 10.The method as described in claim 8, wherein the PTP parameter setcorresponding to the PTP port group includes at least one parameterselected from a group consisting of a domain number, a transportprotocol, a path delay mechanism, a PTP profile, a PTP port type, a syncinterval, an announce interval, or an announce receipt timeout.
 11. Themethod as described in claim 8, further comprising coupling a PTPcapable device to each port of the subset of PTP ports.
 12. The methodas described in claim 8, wherein applying the PTP parameter set includesapplying the PTP parameter set to all PTP ports of the subset of PTPports at a similar time.
 13. The method as described in claim 8, furthercomprising: identifying a second PTP port group associated with a secondsubset of PTP ports of the network device, the second PTP port groupbeing further associated with a second PTP region; receiving a secondPTP parameter set corresponding to the second PTP port group; applyingthe second PTP parameter set to each port of the second subset of PTPports associated with the PTP port group; performing time exchange forPTP capable devices between the first PTP region and the second PTPregion.
 14. The method as described in claim 8, wherein performing timeexchange comprises: communicating an initial sync message from a masterto a slave; communicating a followup sync message from the master to theslave communicating a delay request message from the slave to themaster; and communicating a final delay response message from the masterto the slave.
 15. A multiport precision time protocol (“PTP”) networkdevice comprising: a first transparent clock of the network devicecoupled to a plurality of first devices of a first PTP region, the firsttransparent clock performing time exchange within the first PTP region;a second transparent clock of the network device coupled to a pluralityof second devices of a second PTP region, the second transparent clockperforming time exchange within the second PTP region; and a boundaryclock of the network device communicating with the first and secondtransparent clocks, the boundary clock performing time exchange betweenthe first and second PTP regions.
 16. The multiport PTP network deviceas described in claim 15, wherein the boundary clock does not performtime exchange within the first or second PTP regions, and neither thefirst transparent clock nor the second transparent clock performs timeexchange between the first and second PTP regions.
 17. The multiport PTPnetwork device as described in claim 16, wherein the boundary clockcommunicates directly with the first and second transparent clocks andcommunicates indirectly with the plurality of first devices and theplurality of second devices.
 18. The multiport PTP network device asdescribed in claim 15, wherein: the plurality of first devices areassociated with a first PTP port group; the plurality of second devicesare associated with a second PTP port group; the first transparent clockperforms time exchange with the plurality of first devices of the firstPTP port group within the first PTP region; and the second transparentclock performs time exchange with the plurality of second devices of thesecond PTP port group within the second PTP region.
 19. The multiportPTP network device as described in claim 15, wherein the plurality ofsecond devices includes a grandmaster device, the second transparentclock communicates a slave signal to the boundary clock, and theboundary clock communicates a master signal corresponding to the slavesignal to the first transparent clock.
 20. The multiport PTP networkdevice as described in claim 19, wherein: the grandmaster device coupledto the first transparent clock is a first grandmaster device; the secondtransparent clock is coupled to a second grandmaster device; and thesecond transparent clock is identified as a best grandmaster device ofthe first and second grandmaster devices.